DHL Worldwide has teamed up with International Scouting, the global scouting movement, to help transport 'The 2002 Peace Light' around the world this Christmas.

An international symbol of friendship and peace passed between countries every Christmas since the late 1980s, DHL will this year help The Peace Light go transatlantic by flying it from Brussels to New York's JFK airport on 14th December, from where it will travel on to neighbouring states and onwards throughout the country.

Local scouts from 'Fédération Catholique des Scouts Baden-Powell de Belgique' will pass the Light to DHL who will, in turn, present the flame to the Boy Scouts of America in New York. The flame will travel aboard DHL's daily Brussels to JFK service.

Each year, an Austrian child fetches the light from Bethlehem. A copy of the flame is then flown to Austria for a Service of Dedication, from where it is distributed by scouts and others to more than 25 European countries. These delegations take the flame back to their own countries with a message of Peace to use at ecumenical services throughout the Continent.

Scouts and Guides can also then take the light on to other churches, hospitals, old people homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anybody that appreciates the significance of the "gift".

"The Peace Light has developed into an important symbol of peace and friendship that touches thousands of people across the world" said Alfred Trovik, a representative of International Scouting.

Note to Editors
DHL Worldwide Express is the global market leader of the international air express industry. An established innovator since pioneering the industry in 1969, DHL continues to be at the forefront of technology, offering fast, responsive, and cost-effective, express deliveries in addition to e-commerce fulfillment and intelligent logistics solutions. The DHL network links over 120,000 destinations in more than 220 countries and territories, and employs 71,000 people. DHL is majority owned by Deutsche Post World Net.